Need help wiring ceiling fan to 3 way outlet.

Question

The ceiling has 2 black, 2 red, and 2 white wires. The ceiling fan has 1 black, 1 blue, 1 white, and 1 green wire. The red wires in the ceiling weren't being used. The previous lighting fixture was 4 lights with no ceiling fan. I can control the fixture from 2 separate outlets. I wired the black and blue from the ceiling fan to the black 2 wires in the ceiling......"4 wires together. I wired the white from the ceiling fan to the 2 in the ceiling.....3 together. Nothing on the red. The breaker trips when i turn the switch on. I'm not eletrically inclined and it's obvious it's not wired correctly. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

It looks to me that, since you had a four lighth fixture, one switch worked two of the lights and the other switch worked the other two lights. If all four lights were inside a single globe, you would not know that that was happening.

I am baseing this on making my own wiring diagram from what you say how they were originally connected. But, to know for sure, I have to know what's in the switch boxes.

If, for instance, the switches are single pole, ( says on or off on them) then you would see the red wire nutted off. (Not connected to anything.)And in that case, each switch box would have to have it's own neutral and hot wires. Even if  the switches are three way, and the red wire is connected, it would still work the same, except the red wire in the ceiling box would be wire nutted. (Just thinking out loud).

It must have at one time, been a three way system and someone screwed up and that is the only way he knew how to get a light fixture  to work. But, if each switch worked two of the four lights each, if you turned the light on at one location, you couldn't turn it off at the other location. The fixture would just get brighter because then all four bulbs would light.

Anyway, here's what to do WITH THE BREAKER OFF: #1- determine if the three wires, black, white and red go down to EACH switch box. #2- if they do,remove the switches and determine if they are single pole or three way. #3- If they are single pole, they will have two black wires connected to them, one of the black wires will go up the three wire to the ceiling box and the other black wire will be the hot wire (line). The red wire will be nutted . If this is the case, the other switch box will be wired the same way. (I am assuming alot here, but what the heck.)

Now, if each switch is a three way, I suggest you get a pencil and paper and draw a diagram as I tell you the connections to return the wiring to control the fan and light from each switch. Draw two switches and a ceiling box above and between the two switches.

Label one switch "A" and one switch  "B". In the ceiling, label one three wire cable "AA" and the other three wire cable "BB". Draw the three terminals of each switch and draw three lines, representing the three wire cables from each switch to the ceiling box containing AA & BB.

Each three way switch has a dark colored terminal and two light colored terminals. Call the dark terminals line -load and the light colored terminals  "T" for travelers. You will only be using one line from one switch, so lets decide to use the switch "A", ie, "A"  switch will have a black line wire connected to the dark terminal. When the power is turned on, the line (voltage) will go up either one of the light colored terminals ("T") travelers to the ceiling box, cable "AA". Mark those wires black and red. The white wire is the neutral, so connect it to the neutral in switch box "A".

Back to switch box "B". From the THREE WIRE CABLE, connect the RED wire to the Dark terminal on the switch, and the black and white "T" travelers to the other two light colored terminals. It doesn't matter which, as you will see when you complete the wiring diagram.

Now to the light fixture box. Connect The black wire from "AA" to the black wire from "BB". Connect the red wire from "AA" to the WHITE wire from "BB". The only two wires you should have not connected in the ceiling box is the Red wire from "BB" and a white wire from "AA". The red wire from "BB"is the switch leg for the new light and fan. The white wire from "AA" is the neutral for the light and fan.

Now, on your wiring diagram, follow the voltage thru the wires by switching the switches on and off to see if you completely understand what is going on. If you do, do it. whew!!  

Answer 2

It would be helpful to know what wires were used with the original lights. Also, with the available wires the fan and light have to come on together. You have a three way system and  it is easiest to know over the net how the lite was wired.

Answer 3

From what you describe, the switches(you call outlets) may not be 3 way.

Look at each switch and check if there is on & off written on the toggle. If so, do this:

In the ceiling box wire a black wire to the black on the fan and wire the other black wire in box to blue wire on fan, then the white wire on fan to one of the white wires in box.

One switch should turn on lights and the other switch should turn on fan.

If the switches do not have on & off on them let me know and I will try to determin what you have.

As you stated in your notes one switch may have controlled 2 lights on fixture and the other switch may have controlled the other two.

Answer 4

Don't connect to the red wire. It is 220volts. The black wire on your fan is hot to the fan, blue is hot for the light, white is neutral and the green is ground. If you don't understand this get an electrician.

Answer 5

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